Power management in respiratory treatment apparatus

A method of control in a respiratory treatment device, the method comprising:

• controlling a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;
• controlling first and second heater elements of a flow path of the flow generator;
• controlling a first offset of respective operations of the first and second heater elements;
• and
• controlling a second offset of the respective operations of the heater elements and the flow generator by detecting a respiratory cycle and reducing a power setting of the first and second heater elements during a portion of the detected respiratory cycle.

A respiratory treatment apparatus comprising:

• a flow generator;
• a first heater;
• a second heater;
• a controller configured to:
• control the flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;
• control the first heater of a flow path of the flow generator;
• control the second heater of a flow path of the flow generator;
• control a first offset of respective operations of the first and second heaters;
• and
• control a second offset of the respective operations of the heaters and the flow generator by detecting a respiratory cycle and reducing a power setting of the first and second heaters during a portion of the detected respiratory cycle.